Category: Trivia

Pops 1970s Alltime Home Run Leader with 296

stargell25Wilver Stargell was a menacing figure when he stepped into the batter’s box in the 70s, windmilling his bat around, as he waited for the pitcher to summon up the courage to send the sphere plateward.  Stargell played 21 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he hit 7 of the 16 balls hit completely out of Forbes Field and several into the upper tier at Three Rivers Stadium.  Willie finished his career with 475 homers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

He hit 296 home runs in the 70s, more than anyone else.  As the decade comes to an end, who will be the all-time home run hitter for this decade?

White Sox Trivia

white_sox_77_1080 One June 19, 1977 this White Sox firstbaseman sang the pre-game National Anthem then went out and went 4-7 with a pair of home runs, playing error-less ball in the field, in a doubleheader sweep versus Oakland. Who was this multi-talented Alabamian?

I remember this day 30+ years ago like it was yesterday, but don’t ask me what I had for breakfast.

Baseball Factoids #1

I received a White Sox tear-off calendar for a Christmas gift, I’ll share some interesting baseball factoids with you as I come across them.

Only two pitchers since 1970 have notched 10 complete games in a single season: Jim Palmer with the Orioles in 1975 (10) and John Tudor with the Cardinals in 1985 (10).

Who was the first player to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Negro Leagues Committee in 1971? Satchel Paige

The 1906 White Sox, dubbed the “hitless wonders”, won the American League pennant with a .230 team batting average. The entire club smacked a total of seven home runs through 154 games.

2008 Cubs Convention: Wrap-up

I’m back in warm Champaign-Urbana. And by “warm”, I mean it was in the twenties and not in single digits. Practically a heat wave.

Many thanks to my buddy Tyler who I didn’t see all weekend but who lent me his place for the weekend while I attended the Cubs Convention. His place was well within walking distance and had all the amenities I needed (an Internet connection being the primary one).

Sweet Lou getting his photo taken with a fan.

This was my second Cubs Convention and while it doesn’t make me an expert, I did know the ropes a little more and was a little less intimidated by the crowds, lines, and excitement.

Ron Santo during “Storytelling with Cubs Legends”

Last year I spent a good amount of time acquiring autographs. Not this year. I decided to forego this in favor of enjoying the atmosphere, taking in a few talks and hopefully meeting a few people. I didn’t spend a lot of time or money on memorabilia. Just a Divisional Champion ballcap for my son and 3 pins.

These guys were playing all throughout the convention

By the way, something of interest… Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue caught Piniella in a Q&A and Lou responded with a tentative opening day lineup:

Soriano, lf
Theriot, ss
Lee, 1b
Ramirez, 3b
Fukudome, rf
DeRosa, 2b
Soto, c
Pie, cf
Zambrano, p

I don’t hold much in lineups formulated well before Spring Training but it’s something for us to munch on.

Oh, one last thing. the answer to the trivia question that the Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit (at the Convention) asked and had everyone stumped. The question again:

Which player has played the most games for the Yankees?

A. Yogi Berra

B. Lou Gehrig

C. Bernie Williams

D. Mickey Mantle

Many people in the audience either guessed Berra or Gehrig. The answer: Mickey Mantle with 2410 games. Gehrig is second (2164), Williams 3rd (2076) and Berra is fourth (2116).

The convention was fun and now it’s less than a month till pitchers and catchers report.

Go Cubbies!

See all the photos from the convention at The Baseball Zealot Photo Gallery

2008 Cubs Convention- Day 3

This was the last day of the convention and events weren’t scheduled much past morning. Even as I got there, some folks were dragging their luggage out the door of the Hilton.

In an effort, I suppose, to appeal to the kids, Curious George was on hand. It didn’t work on this kid who was a bit timid to hug a strange man in a monkey suit.

Daryle Ward shares the love during a photo session.

Though the fare was a bit light on Sunday, the autograph hounds were still out in full force. Here the line for Daryle Ward.

The Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit was out today with a video and a baseball trivia contest. Let me run this question by you all and see if you get it without looking it up. Only two people in the audience got this right and I was not one of those two.

The question: Which player has played the most games for the Yankees?

A. Yogi Berra

B. Lou Gehrig

C. Bernie Williams

D. Mickey Mantle

I’ll give the answer tomorrow.

Things I learned watching baseball tonight.

1. Dan Uggla hit his 20th homerun tonight. The Marlins have the chance to be the first NL team to have 3 rookies with 20+ homeruns. Josh Willingham has 19 and Mike Jacobs has 17. My question to you: What AL team did this? 2. Before today, the Arizona Diamondbacks ninth spot in the lineup … Continue reading “Things I learned watching baseball tonight.”

1. Dan Uggla hit his 20th homerun tonight. The Marlins have the chance to be the first NL team to have 3 rookies with 20+ homeruns. Josh Willingham has 19 and Mike Jacobs has 17.

My question to you: What AL team did this?

2. Before today, the Arizona Diamondbacks ninth spot in the lineup has only 2 rbis less than the number 4 spot.

Their cleanup hitters have hit a grand total of 8 homeruns this year.

Granted, the nine hole includes pinch hitters and position players on the rare occasion when the DH is in effect against AL teams.

But still.

3. Orlando Hudson leads the D-backs in rbis since the All-Star break.

Trivia Time… Team Batting Average Titles

I read in a book published around 1990 that Pittsburgh Pirates, as a team, have the most batting titles throughout history. I wondered if that was still true. A quick check found it was that no longer the case. What team can claim the most batting titles (starting from 1901)? The answer in a couple … Continue reading “Trivia Time… Team Batting Average Titles”

I read in a book published around 1990 that Pittsburgh Pirates, as a team, have the most batting titles throughout history.

I wondered if that was still true. A quick check found it was that no longer the case.

What team can claim the most batting titles (starting from 1901)?

The answer in a couple days.

U of I players looking toward postseason in summer leagues

Somebody’s sitting in my usual seat tonight. The booth I usually sit at has a picture above it of Bob Richards. He’s a University of Illinois alumni and a former athlete. My question for you is what was his unusual nickname and what was his sport? They go hand in hand. No fair searching the … Continue reading “U of I players looking toward postseason in summer leagues”

Somebody’s sitting in my usual seat tonight. The booth I usually sit at has a picture above it of Bob Richards. He’s a University of Illinois alumni and a former athlete.

My question for you is what was his unusual nickname and what was his sport? They go hand in hand.

No fair searching the web.

The college summer leagues are winding down and many (most?) of the Illini are involved in the playoff picture. The fightingillini.com website has all the details. I won’t bother repeating what’s already there. However, since they didn’t bother linking the team’s or league’s web sites, I took the time to look them up and link them on this post.

Good luck, Illini and look forward to seeing you at the Alumni Game this fall!!

Coastal Plain League

Northwoods League

Central Illinois Collegiate League